Care centres achieve glowing reports from inspectors

Two Perthshire care centres are celebrating top marks from inspectors. Balhousie Care Group’s Dalguise and Orchard Court facilities, providing advanced specialist care (ASC) for adults with learning disabilities, have been awarded two top grade six ratings by the Care Inspectorate. The centres have been awarded an “excellent” rating for both “care and support” and “management and leadership” after introducing personcentred enhancements to their pre-admission processes and creating additional support staff positions to increase the range of indoor and outdoor activities available to service users. The Care Inspectorate’s visit captured how “relaxed and happy” service users are with families commenting that they have “no concerns” and find the staff “highly vigilant” and “responsive”. One service user said they feel “safe” and another spoke about helping to “build the swing seats”. Heather Smith, operations manager at Balhousie’s ASC unit, said: “We are beyond thrilled with our fantastic grade sixes from the Care Inspectorate after their recent visit. High accolades like this only come about through exceptional teamwork and everyone at ASC has played a role in this achievement. “We are dedicated to providing personalised care for our service users, placing them at the very heart of what we do, so this achievement is for them as well.” Louise Barnett, director of operations at the Perth-based Balhousie Care Group, said: “The work Heather and the team at ASC has carried out to achieve two grade six ratings is truly outstanding.”